Sensor module for a user device

ABSTRACT

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a sensor module. In some aspects, a sensor module may include a collar configured to be attached to a camera module for a user device. The collar may include a first opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera of the camera module, and a second opening. The sensor module may include a sensor embedded in the collar. The sensor may be aligned with the second opening of the collar. Numerous other aspects are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/521,222, filed Jul. 24, 2019, entitled “SENSOR MODULE FOR A USERDEVICE” (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,115,576), which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/826,667, filed on Mar. 29, 2019,entitled “SENSOR MODULE FOR A USER DEVICE,” which are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to sensor modules,and to a sensor module for a user device.

BACKGROUND

Sensors are used within user devices for various purposes. Such sensorsmay be used to sense one or more characteristics associated with theuser device. Such characteristics may include one or morecharacteristics of an environment of the user device. For example, oneor more sensors may be configured to detect whether a user is present,detect motion, measure ambient lighting, and/or the like.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, a sensor module may include a collar configured to beattached to a camera module for a user device, wherein the collarincludes: a first opening that is configured to align with an apertureof a camera of the camera module, and a second opening; and a sensorembedded in the collar, wherein the sensor is aligned with the secondopening of the collar.

In some aspects, a camera module may include a camera, wherein thecamera comprises: an aperture, and a lens unit that includes a lens; astructure configured to support the camera; and a sensor with analways-on detection capability, wherein the sensor is attached to thestructure.

In some aspects, a communication module of a user device includes acollar configured to be attached to a camera module of the user device,wherein the collar includes: a plurality of openings, wherein a firstopening, of the plurality of openings, is configured to align with anaperture of a camera of the camera module; a light emitter embedded inthe collar, wherein the light emitter is aligned with a second openingof the plurality of openings, and wherein the light emitter isconfigured to transmit light that includes a communication signalassociated with the user device; and a sensor embedded in the collar,wherein the sensor is aligned with the second opening of the collar, andwherein the sensor is configured to capture an optical communicationsignal that is to be received by the user device.

In some aspects, a user device may include a camera module that includesa camera, wherein the camera comprises: an aperture, and a lens unitthat includes a lens; and a sensor module comprising: a collarconfigured to be attached to the camera module, wherein the collarincludes: a first opening that is configured to align with the apertureof the camera, and a second opening; and a sensor with an always-ondetection capability, wherein the sensor is embedded in the collar andaligned with the second opening of the collar.

Aspects generally include a method, apparatus, system, computer programproduct, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user device, wirelesscommunication device, and processing system as substantially describedherein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawingsand specification.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that thedetailed description that follows may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conceptionand specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do notdepart from the scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of theconcepts disclosed herein, both their organization and method ofoperation, together with associated advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purposesof illustration and description, and not as a definition of the limitsof the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the above-recited features of the present disclosure can beunderstood in detail, a more particular description, briefly summarizedabove, may be had by reference to aspects, some of which are illustratedin the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appendeddrawings illustrate only certain typical aspects of this disclosure andare therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for thedescription may admit to other equally effective aspects. The samereference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similarelements.

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example environment inwhich a sensor module described herein may be implemented, in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating example components of oneor more devices shown in FIG. 1, such as a user device, in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3-7 are diagrams conceptually illustrating examples associated witha sensor module in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to any specific structure or function presented throughoutthis disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey thescope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on theteachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scopeof the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosuredisclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined withany other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may beimplemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspectsset forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intendedto cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using otherstructure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition toor other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. Itshould be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed hereinmay be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

Many user devices (e.g., mobile devices, computers, wearable devices,and/or the like) may include one or more cameras to permit a user tocapture images using the user device. Furthermore, in some instances, acamera may be included on a display-side of the user device so thatimages of a user can be captured while the user is facing and/orinteracting with a display (e.g., an organic light emitting diode (OLED)display) of the user device. It can be preferred (e.g., to enhance auser experience of the user device) that a display on a user devicecover nearly the entirety of the display-side of the user device (e.g.,with wall-to-wall displays). However, including a camera on thedisplay-side of the user device may inherently require that a portion ofthe display-side of the user device not be covered by the display and/orthat the display include an opening so that an aperture of the cameracan be exposed to the environment of the display-side of the userdevice.

Furthermore, in some instances, the user device is configured to performa detection analysis (e.g., a facial recognition analysis, a characterrecognition analysis, and/or the like) on the images captured by thedisplay-side camera. For example, a detection analysis may be performedto activate (e.g., power on, wake-up, and/or the like) the display whena user is detected and/or unlock the display to permit a particular userto interact with the user device. It can be preferred (e.g., to enhancea user experience of the user device) that the user device employalways-on facial detection so that the display of the user device can beactivated and/or unlocked without the user having to physically interactwith the user device (e.g., pick up the user device, press a button ofthe user device, and/or the like). Additionally, or alternatively, itcan be preferred (e.g., to enhance a user experience of the userdevice), that the user device be able to detect a character (e.g., abarcode, a quick response (QR) code, and/or the like) without the userhaving to physically interact with the user device. However, suchalways-on capabilities require that the camera (e.g., a camera on thedisplay-side) is always on (e.g., always capturing images) while theuser device is powered on. It can be preferred that the camera be ahigh-resolution camera (e.g., to enhance a user experience associatedwith capturing high-resolution images). However, such high-resolutioncameras (e.g., cameras capable of capturing more than one megapixel orgreater images) can consume relatively high amounts of power (e.g.,greater than 100 milliwatts (mW)), which would quickly drain the powerfrom a battery of the user device if the high-resolution camera wasalways on.

Some implementations described herein provide a sensor module thatenables object detection (e.g., facial detection, character detection,and/or the like) and consumes a relatively small area of a display-sideof a user device (e.g., a same area that is used for a camera module) topermit a display of the user device to cover nearly the entirety of thedisplay-side. The sensor module may include a collar that has relativelythe same dimensions (e.g., within a manufacturing tolerance, within athreshold percentage, and/or the like) of the camera module, such thatthe amount of area of the display-side of the user device that isconsumed by the combination of the sensor module and camera module isequivalent to the amount of area of the display-side that would beconsumed by the camera module without the sensor module. The sensormodule may include one or more sensors embedded within the collar, whichincludes an opening that aligns with the camera of the camera modulesuch that the collar fits around a lens unit of the camera module. Inthis way, a sensor module, as described herein, enables an opening in adisplay for a camera module to be more effectively utilized by enablingone or more sensors to use the opening without requiring additionalopenings, for the sensors, to be included in the display. In otherwords, the sensor module may utilize the same opening in the displaythat is available for a camera module.

Furthermore, as described herein, a sensor of the sensor module may be alow-resolution (e.g., less than one megapixel), low-power (e.g.,consumes less than 10 mW) sensor that enables an always-on detectioncapability (e.g., always-on facial detection, always-on characterdetection, and/or always-on object detection). In this way, the sensormodule described herein allows for always-on detection (e.g., always-onfacial recognition, always-on character recognition, always-on objectrecognition, and/or the like) while consuming a relatively small area ofa display-side of the user device (e.g., a same area that is consumed byan associated camera module).

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example environment 100 in which asensor module described herein may be implemented, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1,environment 100 may include a user device 110, a wireless communicationdevice 120, and/or a network 130. Devices of environment 100 mayinterconnect via wired connections, wireless connections, or acombination of wired and wireless connections.

User device 110 includes one or more devices capable of including one ormore sensor modules described herein. For example, user device 110 mayinclude one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing,processing, and/or providing information associated with one or moresensors described herein. More specifically, user device 110 may includea communication and/or computing device, such as a mobile phone (e.g., asmart phone, a radiotelephone, etc.), a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a handheld computer, a desktop computer, a gaming device, awearable communication device (e.g., a smart wristwatch, a pair of smarteyeglasses, etc.), or a similar type of device.

Similar to user device 110, wireless communication device 120 includesone or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing,processing, and/or providing information associated with one or moresensors described herein. For example, wireless communication device 120may include a base station, an access point, and/or the like.Additionally, or alternatively, similar to user device 110, wirelesscommunication device 120 may include a communication and/or computingdevice, such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone, a radiotelephone,etc.), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, adesktop computer, a gaming device, a wearable communication device(e.g., a smart wristwatch, a pair of smart eyeglasses, etc.), or asimilar type of device.

Network 130 includes one or more wired and/or wireless networks. Forexample, network 130 may include a cellular network (e.g., a long-termevolution (LTE) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network,a 3G network, a 4G network, a 5G network, another type of nextgeneration network, etc.), a public land mobile network (PLMN), a localarea network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., the Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN)), a private network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, theInternet, a fiber optic-based network, a cloud computing network, or thelike, and/or a combination of these or other types of networks.

The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in FIG. 1 areprovided as one or more examples. In practice, there may be additionaldevices and/or networks, fewer devices and/or networks, differentdevices and/or networks, or differently arranged devices and/or networksthan those shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, two or more devices shown inFIG. 1 may be implemented within a single device, or a single deviceshown in FIG. 1 may be implemented as multiple, distributed devices.Additionally, or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or moredevices) of environment 100 may perform one or more functions describedas being performed by another set of devices of environment 100.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of a device 200. Device 200may correspond to user device 110 and/or wireless communication device120. Additionally, or alternatively, user device 110, and/or wirelesscommunication device 120 may include one or more devices 200 and/or oneor more components of device 200. As shown in FIG. 2, device 200 mayinclude a bus 205, a processor 210, a memory 215, a storage component220, an input component 225, an output component 230, a communicationinterface 235, and one or more sensors 240 (referred to individually asa “sensor 240” and collectively as “sensors 240”).

Bus 205 includes a component that permits communication among thecomponents of device 200. Processor 210 includes a central processingunit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processingunit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or another type ofprocessing component. Processor 210 is implemented in hardware,firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. In some aspects,processor 210 includes one or more processors capable of beingprogrammed to perform a function.

Memory 215 includes a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory(ROM), and/or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., aflash memory, a magnetic memory, and/or an optical memory) that storesinformation and/or instructions for use by processor 210.

Storage component 220 stores information and/or software related to theoperation and use of device 200. For example, storage component 220 mayinclude a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optic disk, and/or a solid-state disk), a compact disc (CD), adigital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetictape, and/or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium,along with a corresponding drive.

Input component 225 includes a component that permits device 200 toreceive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touch screendisplay, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and/or amicrophone). Additionally, or alternatively, input component 225 mayinclude a sensor for sensing information (e.g., an image sensor, alocation sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, and/or thelike). In some aspects, input component 225 may include a camera (e.g.,a high-resolution camera, a low-resolution camera, and/or the like).Output component 230 includes a component that provides output fromdevice 200 (e.g., a display, a speaker, and/or one or morelight-emitting diodes (LEDs)).

Communication interface 235 includes a transceiver and/or a separatereceiver and transmitter that enables device 200 to communicate withother devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, ora combination of wired and wireless connections. Communication interface235 may permit device 200 to receive information from another deviceand/or provide information to another device. For example, communicationinterface 235 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, acoaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF)interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, acellular network interface, a wireless modem, an inter-integratedcircuit (I²C), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), or the like.

Sensor 240 includes one or more devices capable of sensingcharacteristics associated with device 200. Sensor 240 may include oneor more integrated circuits (e.g., on a packaged silicon die) and/or oneor more passive components of one or more flex circuits to enablecommunication with one or more components of device 200.

Sensor 240 may include an optical sensor that has a field of view inwhich sensor 240 may determine one or more characteristics of anenvironment of device 200. In some aspects, sensor 240 may include acamera. For example, sensor 240 may include a low-resolution camera(e.g., a video graphics array (VGA)) that is capable of capturing imagesthat are less than one megapixel, images that are less than 1216×912pixels, and/or the like. Sensor 240 may be a low-power device (e.g., adevice that consumes less than ten milliwatts (mW) of power) that has analways-on capability (e.g., to permit always-on facial detection,always-on character recognition, always-on object detection, and/or thelike) while device 200 is powered on.

Additionally, or alternatively, sensor 240 may include magnetometer(e.g., a Hall effect sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR)sensor, a giant magneto-resistive sensor (GMR), and/or the like), alocation sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, alocal positioning system (LPS) device (e.g., that uses triangulation,multi-lateration, etc.), and/or the like), a gyroscope (e.g., amicro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscope or a similar type ofdevice), an accelerometer, a speed sensor, a motion sensor, an infraredsensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and/or the like.

Device 200 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device200 may perform these processes in response to processor 210 executingsoftware instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, such as memory 215 and/or storage component 220. Acomputer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memorydevice. A memory device includes memory space within a single physicalstorage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storagedevices.

Software instructions may be read into memory 215 and/or storagecomponent 220 from another computer-readable medium or from anotherdevice via communication interface 235. When executed, softwareinstructions stored in memory 215 and/or storage component 220 may causeprocessor 210 to perform one or more processes described herein.Additionally, or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in placeof or in combination with software instructions to perform one or moreprocesses described herein. Thus, aspects described herein are notlimited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

In some aspects, device 200 includes means for performing one or moreprocesses described herein and/or means for performing one or moreoperations of the processes described herein. For example, the means forperforming the processes and/or operations described herein may includebus 205, processor 210, memory 215, storage component 220, inputcomponent 225, output component 230, communication interface 235, sensor240, and/or any combination thereof.

The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 2 are provided asan example. In practice, device 200 may include additional components,fewer components, different components, or differently arrangedcomponents than those shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, or alternatively, aset of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 200 mayperform one or more functions described as being performed by anotherset of components of device 200.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example 300 associatedwith a sensor module in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Example 300 includes a user device (e.g., user device 110)that includes a sensor module and a camera module described herein. Atop view of the sensor module and camera module are shown in FIG. 3.Accordingly, the sensor module is shown overlapping (or covering fromthe top view) the camera module (dotted line). The sensor module may beattached to (e.g., fastened, fixed, connected, glued, and/or the like)to the camera module (e.g., a structure of the camera module) to permitthe camera module and the sensor module to be installed (e.g., prior toinstalling the display surface) within the user device as a singleassembled unit.

In example 300, the sensor module includes a collar with a sensorembedded within a sensor attachment module. The sensor attachment modulemay be embedded within the collar. In some aspects, the sensor may beembedded (e.g., attached to, fit within, fastened to, and/or the like)directly within the collar (e.g., without a separable sensor attachmentmodule) and/or the sensor attachment module may be formed as part of thecollar. As shown, the collar includes an opening that aligns with acamera aperture. The sensor attachment module (and/or collar) includes asecond opening that corresponds to a sensor aperture for the sensor.

As shown in FIG. 3, a portion of the display surface may cover thesensor module (e.g., except for the camera aperture and/or the sensoraperture). In this way, the display surface of the user device coversthe majority of the user device, except for a relatively small portionto permit apertures of a camera and a sensor to be exposed to thedisplay-side of the user device.

As indicated above, FIG. 3 is provided as an example. Other examples arepossible and may differ from what was described above in connection withFIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example 400 associatedwith a sensor module in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Example 400 illustrates a plan view of an assembly and/orcombination of a sensor module and a camera module, as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 4, and by reference 410, the camera module may includea plurality of lenses (shown as dotted lines) within a structure. One ormore of the lenses may be included within a lens unit that extends froma base of the camera module (which may also include one or more lenses).The lens unit may correspond to a barrel housing of the camera modulethat is configured to hold lenses that have a relatively smallerdiameter (or width) than other lenses of the camera module that are inthe base of the camera module. The base of the camera module may have awidth w. Accordingly, the lens unit may have a width that is less thanthe width w (e.g., the width of the lens unit may be approximately w/3,w/2, and/or the like). Further, the lens unit may have a height z.

The camera of the camera module may be a high-resolution camera that ispowered by a power supply (e.g., a battery) of a user device (e.g., userdevice 110, device 200, and/or the like) when installed within the userdevice. As a high-resolution camera, the camera may require 100 mW ofpower or more to capture images and/or video. The camera may becommunicatively coupled to a device (e.g., processor 210) via acommunication bus (e.g., bus 205) to permit the camera to be controlledand/or permit the camera to provide captured images to the device.

As further shown in FIG. 4, and by reference number 420, the sensormodule includes a collar, a sensor, an opening, and an aperture for thesensor (which may also be considered as an opening in the collar). Thecollar may receive the lens unit in the opening, such that the collarfits to the camera module when the lens unit is received within theopening. The collar may have a height that is substantially equal to theheight z of the lens unit. The collar may be any suitable materialcapable of being molded to permit the sensor to be embedded and/orinstalled within the collar.

The sensor may be any suitable sensor that is capable of sensing, viathe aperture, one or more characteristics of an environment of thesensor module (which may be the same environment as an environment of auser device, once installed in the user device). For example, the sensormay be a low-resolution camera, an optical sensor capable of detectinglight (e.g., ambient light, infrared light, an optical communicationsignal, and/or the like), an infrared sensor, a pressure sensor, amicrophone, and/or the like. The sensor of the sensor module may be alow-power sensor that requires less than 10 mW of power to operate.Accordingly, the sensor may require less power than the camera of thecamera module. For example, the sensor may be a low-resolution camerathat requires less than 10 mW (e.g., 1 mW, 2 mW, 5 mW, and/or the like)to capture an image and/or video of the environment via the aperture.Accordingly, the sensor may be configured and/or designed to use lesspower (e.g., less power from a battery of the user device) than thecamera.

In this way, the sensor may enable an always-on detection capabilitythat enables a user, a character, an object, and/or the like to bedetected without the user interacting with a touch input component ofthe user device, without picking up (and/or touching) the user device,and/or the like. Furthermore, the sensor, in always-on mode, may recorda sliding window of images, captured by the sensor, as pre-roll video(e.g., video that is captured in a time period before and/or duringfacial detection of a user, character detection of a character, objectdetection of an object, and/or the like). Accordingly, the slidingwindow of images can be saved as pre-roll video that can be access, viathe user device, by a user (e.g., to permit the user to be identifiedvia the pre-roll video).

Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor may be an infrared sensorcapable of performing always-on detection when the environment of thesensor module is dark. For example, a device associated with the sensormodule may include a low power light emitter that emits infrared lightand the infrared sensor may sense reflections of the emitted light thatcan be analyzed for facial detection, character detection, objectdetection, and/or the like.

As further shown in FIG. 4, and by reference number 430, the sensormodule may include a reflective device to permit the sensor to be in anoffset position relative to an axis of symmetry (e.g., the center axisof the opening of the collar) of the sensor module. As shown, thereflective device may redirect a field of view of the sensor through theaperture so that the environment can be captured (e.g., in an image)and/or analyzed by the sensor. In some aspects, the sensor module mayinclude an optic device (e.g., a lens, a prism, and/or the like) that isconfigured to define the field of view of the sensor. The mirror (and/oran optic device) may be included within a sensor attachment module thatis embedded within the collar. In such a case, the sensor attachmentmodule may be separable and/or pre-assembled prior to being installedwithin the collar of the sensor module.

In this way, the sensor module and/or camera module of example 400 maypermit an always-on detection for a user device associated with thesensor module and/or camera module, while being configured to consume asame area of a display-side of the user device as the camera modulealone.

As indicated above, FIG. 4 is provided as an example. Other examples arepossible and may differ from what was described above in connection withFIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example 500 associatedwith a sensor module in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Example 500 includes a sensor module with a plurality ofsensors. A plan view and a top view of the sensor module is shown inFIG. 5. The collar of the sensor module may include corresponding sensorapertures (or sensor openings) for the plurality of sensors. Each of theplurality of sensors may be low-power sensors as described herein. Eachof the plurality of sensors may be a same type of sensor (e.g., all ofthe sensors of the plurality of sensors may be or may includelow-resolution cameras, infrared sensors, and/or the like).Alternatively, one of the plurality of sensors may be a different typeof sensor from another one of the plurality of sensors (e.g., one sensormay be a low-resolution camera and the other may be an infrared sensor).

As shown in FIG. 5, multiple sensors are mounted around the cameraaperture. For example, one or more pairs of sensors may include sensorsthat are opposite one another (e.g., on opposite sides of the opening ofthe sensor module).

Each sensor in example 500 may have an effective field of view angledaway from that of the camera. As shown, the sensor field of view may beangled at an offset of approximately 45 degrees from that of the camerafield of view center line (e.g., which may correspond to an axis ofsymmetry of the sensor module and/or camera module). In some aspects,the individual sensors within the collar may be orientated at an angle(e.g., approximately 45 degrees, approximately 30 degrees, approximately60 degrees, and/or the like) from an axis of symmetry of the sensormodule. Example 500 may permit the plurality of sensors (shown as foursensors positioned 90 degrees from each other relative to the opening orcenter of the sensor module), a hemispherical field of view (e.g., a180-degree×360-degree field of view) of the display-side of a userdevice (once the sensor module is installed in the user device).Accordingly, the sensor module enables a foveated like visual sensingcapability (e.g., which may mimic and/or correlate to a human visualsystem).

In this way, the sensor module may permit an always-on detectioncapability with a hemispherical view.

As indicated above, FIG. 5 is provided as an example. Other examples arepossible and may differ from what was described above in connection withFIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example 600 associatedwith a sensor module in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Example 600 provides another example of a sensor module witha plurality of sensors. Similar to example 500, the sensor module ofexample 600 may permit a hemispherical field of view. For example, asshown, the sensor module may include one or more refractive elements(e.g., microprisms) and/or diffractive elements that redirect light(e.g., at approximately a 45-degree angle, at approximately a 30-degreeangle, at approximately a 60-degree angle, and/or the like) into thesensor module. In this way, a display-side surface of the sensor modulemay be flush (e.g., coplanar) with and/or beneath a plane of the displaysurface (whereas the display-side surface of the sensor module ofexample 500 may not be flush with the plane of the display surface).

As indicated above, FIG. 6 is provided as an example. Other examples arepossible and may differ from what was described above in connection withFIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example 700 associatedwith a sensor module in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Example 700 includes a sensor module that facilitatesoptical communication, as described herein. Accordingly, using thesensor module of example 700, a user device (e.g., user device 110,device 200, and/or the like) may optically communicate with one or moredevices (e.g., wireless communication device 120) using light (e.g.,light that includes a communication signal).

The sensor module may include an optical sensor (shown as a sensorarray) that is capable of receiving incoming signals (e.g., that are toprovide information to the user device). Further, the sensor module mayinclude a light emitter (shown as a light emitting diode (LED) array)that is configured to transmit light that includes an outgoing signal(e.g., a communication signal with information transmitted from the userdevice).

Similar to the sensor modules of examples 500 and 600 of FIGS. 5 and 6,respectively, a plurality of sensors may be configured within the sensormodule to provide a hemispherical field of view (e.g., of a display-sideof the user device). For optical communication (e.g., which may beassociated with cellular communication), the sensor module of example700 enables an optical signal to be received from all angles of adisplay-side of the user device. Further, such sensors may be low powerto permit the sensors to always be on so that the signals can always bereceived (when the user device is powered on). Furthermore, the sensormodule may enable the sensors to provide line of sight communicationand/or signal directionality as needed over the collective hemisphericalfield of view of the user device.

In addition to receiving line of sight optical information, the sensormodule permits line of sight emission via the light emitters embedded inthe sensor module. For example, for a signal received from a specificdirection, an emitted reply can be transmitted in the reverse direction.Accordingly, the sensor module may include sensor attachment moduleswith both optical sensors to facilitate receipt of optical communicationsignals and light emitters to facilitate transmission of opticalcommunication signals. Therefore, for a signal received at position(x,y) on one or more optical sensors of the sensor module, a reply canbe given using an LED at position (x,y) of the corresponding one or moresensor attachment modules that include the optical sensors (e.g., whichfaces the same direction from which the signal was received).

In this way, this way, a user device may be enabled to opticallycommunicate via the sensor module, as described herein, while includinga display that substantially covers the display-side of the user device.

As indicated above, FIG. 7 is provided as an example. Other examples arepossible and may differ from what was described above in connection withFIG. 7.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the preciseform disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of theabove disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construedas hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software. Asused herein, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or acombination of hardware and software.

Some aspects are described herein in connection with thresholds. As usedherein, satisfying a threshold may refer to a value being greater thanthe threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than thethreshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold,not equal to the threshold, and/or the like.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. In fact, many ofthese features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependentclaim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosureof various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination withevery other claim in the claim set. A phrase referring to “at least oneof” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, includingsingle members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intendedto cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combinationwith multiples of the same element (e.g., a-a, a-a-a, a-a-b, a-a-c,a-b-b, a-c-c, b-b, b-b-b, b-b-c, c-c, and c-c-c or any other ordering ofa, b, and c).

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, asused herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more itemsreferenced in connection with the article “the” and may be usedinterchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, theterms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items (e.g.,related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelateditems, and/or the like), and may be used interchangeably with “one ormore.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similarlanguage is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,”“having,” and/or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further,the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or”is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be usedinterchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g.,if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”).

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor module comprising: a collar configuredto be attached to a camera module for a user device, wherein the collarincludes: a first opening that is configured to align with an apertureof a camera of the camera module, and a second opening; a sensorattachment module in the collar; a sensor within the sensor attachmentmodule, wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axisassociated with the sensor module; and a reflective device configured toredirect light towards the sensor.
 2. The sensor module of claim 1,wherein the axis is a center axis of the second opening.
 3. The sensormodule of claim 1, wherein the reflective device redirects a field ofview of the sensor through the aperture.
 4. The sensor module of claim1, further comprising: an optic device configured to define a field ofview of the sensor.
 5. The sensor module of claim 4, wherein the opticdevice is one of a lens or a prism.
 6. The sensor module of claim 4,wherein the optic device is within the sensor attachment module. Thesensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a sensor array.
 8. Thesensor module of claim 1, further comprising: a light emitter that isconfigured to transmit the light.
 9. The sensor module of claim 1,wherein a height of the collar is substantially equal to a height of alens unit of the camera.
 10. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein thesensor requires less than 10 milliwatts (mW) of power to operate. 11.The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor enables an always-ondetection capability without a user interacting with the user device.12. A system for a user device, the system comprising: a camera, whereinthe camera comprises: an aperture, and a lens unit that includes a lens;a structure configured to support the camera; a collar configured to beattached to the structure; a sensor attachment module; a sensor, withinthe sensor attachment module, with an always-on detection capability,wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axis of anopening of the collar; and a reflective device that redirects lighttowards the sensor.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensorrequires less power than the camera.
 14. The system of claim 12, whereinthe sensor and the camera use power from a battery of the user device.15. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor enables an always-ondetection capability without a user interacting with the user device.16. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensorcapable of performing always-on detection when an environment is dark.17. A user device, comprising: a collar, wherein the collar includes: afirst opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera,and a second opening; a sensor, wherein the sensor is in an offsetposition relative to an axis of symmetry associated with the collar; anda reflective device, in the collar, that redirects light towards thesensor.
 18. The user device of claim 17, further comprising: an opticdevice configured to define a field of view of the sensor.
 19. The userdevice of claim 17, further comprising: a light emitter that isconfigured to emit the light.
 20. The user device of claim 17, wherein aheight of the collar is substantially equal to a height of a lens unitof the camera.